AFCON 2027: Rwanda launches its dream with a 3-1 win over Liberia, 22 years after its only AFCON appearance
Rwanda launched its qualifying campaign for AFCON 2027 perfectly by securing a 3-1 victory against Liberia on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, during the first matchday of Group K.
For the Amavubi, the stakes are historic: the country has not competed in the Africa Cup of Nations final tournament since its one and only appearance in 2004. Twenty-two years of waiting give this victory a special flavor, notes the Rwandan site KT Press.
A lightning start to the match
The men under head coach Stephen Constantine did not waste any time. In the very first minutes, Abeddy Biramahire opened the scoring off an assist from Leroy Jacques Mickels. Shortly after the half-hour mark, that same Leroy Jacques Mickels doubled the lead, following a pass from Gilbert Byiringiro, according to KT Press.
Liberia responded immediately: Sylvanus Nimely narrowed the gap after a corner kick was poorly cleared by the Rwandan defense. But just before the break, Joy-Lance Mickels converted a penalty to restore a two-goal lead for the Rwandans. The Sabah FC player, based in Azerbaijan, recently became the first Rwandan to play in the UEFA Champions League league phase, KT Press recalls.
Liberia reduced to ten men
In the second half, the Lone Stars finished the match a man down following the sending off of Sean Sherman around the hour mark, after a tackle on Bonheur Mugisha. The Rwandans then primarily managed their lead.
Heading to Praia
Group K promises to be competitive: it brings together Rwanda, Liberia, Mali, and Cape Verde. Mali also started with a 3-1 victory against the Blue Sharks in Bamako. The next step for the Amavubi is their first away trip to Cape Verde, in Praia, on September 29, 2026, while Liberia will host Mali.
After years of frustration, Rwanda now dreams of seeing its national team back on the big continental stage during the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
This article was written in French with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited below, then translated from French automatically. Read the original.
